Power consumption
The power consumed by the device during operation.
In general, more powerful models are considered more advanced — at least because the high power speeds up the time to heat up to operating temperature and allows you to achieve higher steam performance. On the other hand, such power significantly affects the dimensions, weight and price.
Among classic irons, power up to 1500 W corresponds to the entry level, it is mainly typical for travel models. An indicator of 1500 – 2000 W is considered average, and values of 2000 W and more are typical mainly for professional devices. In the presence of a steam generator, the power increases noticeably, and among ironing systems and presses there are models with a power of up to 6 – 7 kW.
Nozzle for delicate fabrics
The presence in the delivery set of the iron of a special
nozzle for delicate fabrics — silk, cotton, etc. Such a nozzle has a smooth surface, and is also designed in such a way as to exclude heating above a certain temperature and the ingress of accidental drops on the fabric when working in the steaming mode. All this prevents tissue damage and allows you to gently and effectively iron them. The nozzle for delicate fabrics is removable and attached to the sole with clips.
Many irons have special settings for sensitive materials, which can eliminate this feature. However, if you have to deal with delicate fabrics often and a lot, it is still advisable to choose an iron with a nozzle.
Steam boost power
The steam power supplied by the iron in boost mode.
The steam power is the amount of steam the iron produces per minute. See above for more information on the general meaning of this parameter. And the steam boost mode is a mode of enhanced steaming, when the iron practically “shoots” with a boost of steam; "shot" is usually made by pressing a special button. Steam boost allows you to achieve an intense effect that is not available with conventional steaming; such an impact can be useful, for example, to smooth out heavily rumpled fabrics that would be difficult to deal with in other ways.
A steam boost of 100 g/min or more is said to be sufficient to handle most tough and "unruly" materials. And
models with a powerful steam boost from 200 g/min will definitely not leave even the most dense fabric rumpled. However, there are models with more modest indicators — they are quite suitable for those who need an iron for ordinary household ironing. Moreover, high power, usually, affects the cost. Do not forget about irons with a steam generator, where the performance values are higher, since the purpose of the iron is slightly different.
Cable length
The length of the cable for connecting to the mains provided in the iron.
Manufacturers select the length of the cable, taking into account the general specialization of the iron and the characteristics of its application — so that the wire is enough for most cases and at the same time it is not too long and bulky. Therefore, in most cases, this parameter can be ignored; exceptions are only some specific situations. For example, if you choose a travel iron and compactness is a key criterion, you should choose a
shorter wire. A
long cable, in turn, will come in handy at a great distance from sockets and the absence of extension cords.
For clarity, we note that for household irons, the average cable length is 1.5 m.
Iron weight
The total weight of the iron. Usually, this parameter is indicated "dry", without water; and for steam generators and ironing systems (see "Type"), the weight of the iron is given, without additional equipment.
Initially, it was believed that the heavier the iron, the more efficiently it performs its task. However, modern models use various technical tricks to achieve good ironing quality with low weight. At the same time, a lighter iron is more “manoeuvrable” and easier to use, you can work with it for a long time without getting tired. Therefore, it makes sense to specifically look for a massive model only in cases where you plan to often work with difficult-to-iron, “unruly” fabrics — for example, natural linen: more weight will give additional processing efficiency.
